Enhancement of photocurrent of polymer‐gelled dye‐sensitized solar cell by incorporation of exfoliated montmorillonite nanoplatelets

Abstract

Poly(n‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and its nanocomposite with exfoliated montmorillonite (MMT) were prepared by soap‐free emulsion polymerization and individually applied to gel the electrolyte systems for the dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Each exfoliated MMT nanoplatelet had a thickness of ∼ 1 nm, carried ∼ 1.8 cation/nm2, and acted like a two‐dimensional electrolyte. The DSSC with the LiI/I2/tertiary butylpyridine electrolyte system gelled by this polymer nanocomposite had higher short‐circuit current density (Jsc) compared to that gelled by the neat PNIPAAm. The former has a Jsc of 12.6 mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.73 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.59, which harvested 5.4% electricity conversion efficiency (η) under AM 1.5 irradiation at 100 mW/cm2, whereas the latter has Jsc = 7.28 mA/cm2, Voc = 0.72 V, FF = 0.60, and η = 3.17%. IPCE of the nanocomposite‐gelled DSSC were also improved. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the DSSCs revealed that the nanocomposite‐gelled electrolytes significantly decreased the impedances in three major electric current paths of DSSCs, that is, the resistance of electrolytes and electric contacts, impedance across the electrolytes/dye‐coated TiO2 interface, and Nernstian diffusion within the electrolytes. The results were also consistent with the increased molar conductivity of nanocomposite‐gelled electrolytes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 47–53, 2008

Co-existence of LiI and KI in filler-free, quasi-solid-state electrolyte for efficient and stable dye-sensitized solar cell

“…Inorganic nanoparticles act as fillers and decrease the degree of crystallization of the polymer matrix. Although, plasticized polymer electrolytes exhibit high efficiencies [21][22][23], they tend to compromise on the mechanical properties of the electrolyte [24]. Selecting a proper metal salt for the electrolyte is also important.…”

Effects of tethering alkyl chains for amphiphilic ruthenium complex dyes on their adsorption to titanium oxide and photovoltaic properties

“…The development of renewable and carbon-free energy especially solar energy has been growing significantly since the end of the 20th century. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) invented by O'Regan and Grätzel in 1991 [1] have attracted well attention and regarded as an economical energy conversion device [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. By using ruthenium complex dye-sensitized mosoporous TiO 2 , the solar cells with power conversion efficiency up to 11% have been achieved [2].…”

Simple and inexpensive electrodeposited silver/polyaniline composite counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

“…The DSSC is composed of dye-sensitized TiO 2 photo electrode, a counter electrode (CE), and I À 3 =I À redox electrolyte solution. The CE is key component in DSSC, which is used to shift electrons from outer circuit to the electrolyte solution and to reduce the triiodide ions (I À 3 ) to Iodide ions (I) [1][2][3][4]. Generally, a thin platinum (Pt) film deposited on transparent conductive oxides (TCO) glass is widely adopted as CE in DSSC for the reduction of I À 3 .…”